The Discouragement Distraction

Every single one of us have had discouraging days. The goals we set and the dreams we envision come with difficult days that leave us second guessing ourselves. I’m a firm believer that nothing in life worth having ever comes easy … well, until I run into one of those discouraging days. But there comes a day when you have to understand that discouragement is only a distraction.

Discouragement is the feeling of lost hope or confidence, due to failure or difficulty. While discouragement is real, it should never be a determining factor, because it’s just an emotion. It is very easy to divert your attention to a fleeting feeling, and lose the momentum for success. But as soon as you allow yourself to be distracted, you waste precious time and energy. As you pursue that dream, and reach for those goals, be sure that you won’t get an easy pass. However, the resolve to pursue has to be greater than the pressure to quit.

James, Jesus’ brother and leader of the church in Jerusalem, opens his epistle with advice for overcoming discouragement.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.“ (James 1:2-4; 12a, New Living Translation)

Whenever, life hands you pressure, difficulty, failure and discouragement, our best response is to lean into it with joy. The joy of knowing that giving up has never been an option. The joy of knowing that this is just an opportunity to endure. The joy of knowing that enduring brings about a life of rewards. The rewards of achieving your goals and living your dreams. Don’t allow discouragement to take your eyes off your prize, because your momentary setback is not the end. Endure it and keep moving forward.